1/3 Scale Classic Macintosh Made With Raspberry Pi - MacRumors
Skip to Content

1/3 Scale Classic Macintosh Made With Raspberry Pi

by

John Leake, co-host of the RetroMacCast, has crafted a 1/3 scale miniature replica of the Mac Plus (via Cult of Mac). The computer, which he calls the "Mini Mac", is made from a Raspberry Pi, PVC, and a Linux-based Mac emulator running System 6.

minimac
The mini computer's casing was created from sheets of 3M Sintra PVC plastic, which were shaped with an X-Acto knife and then sanded. The monitor is a 3.5-inch composite LCD panel, held in with two brackets and velcro, and it all runs on a Raspberry Pi. It also includes Wi-Fi, an HDMI port, two USB ports, with a Bluetooth dongle to be added in the future.


Constructing the tiny Mac required Leake to cut the SD card, trim the USB cable, and solder wires to bypass the power connector. Leake has a detailed description of how he built the computer on his blog, and during a podcast, he mentions that it took him 12 hours to build. If he produces more Mini Macs in the future, he plans to use a 3D printer.

Top Rated Comments

170 months ago
This is awesome! Also, Apple Pi...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
Surely this should be called the PiMac Mini...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xraydoc Avatar
170 months ago
I want one!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmann Avatar
170 months ago
That's adorable.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
leon44 Avatar
170 months ago
Aw that's awesome
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FirstNTenderbit Avatar
170 months ago
Things like this

Patent... litigate... no innovation... stolen ideas... my company makes more profit... plasticky... where's my rMBP. Forum points of discussion that :mad:

This thing? Instant mood restoration. This is just too freaking cool.

Hat tip.:cool:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone duo

Apple Announces Foldable 'iPhone Duo'

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:56 am PDT by
Apple today announced the "iPhone Duo," a new kind of iPhone featuring two screens and a foldable inner display. The two halves of the iPhone Duo connect into a single continuous frame with the same aspect ratio across both displays, and Apple said the transition between open and closed is designed to feel fluid. When fully open, Apple says it is the thinnest iPhone ever made, with an...
Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More Expected

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...